ChangeHampton, an organization that promotes restorative, biodiverse, and sustainable landscaping practices on eastern Long Island, will celebrate participants in its Humanity for Habitat project at an East Hampton residence Friday at 11 a.m.
After volunteering with Habitat for Humanity of Long Island for more than two years, during which he donated hundreds of hours to help build houses, Matthew Charron, The Star’s production manager, was himself the recipient of a Habitat for Humanity house in 2022. The yard at 50 Thomas Avenue had been cleared and consisted of compacted fill from the construction, a few trees, and invasive bamboo and vines.
Seeking a natural environment, he contacted ChangeHampton’s Len Green, who proposed a “Humanity for Habitat” that could become a model for other Habitat for Humanity projects. In January 2025, Mr. Green, with ChangeHampton’s Paul McIsaac and Jane Weissman, visited the property to interview Mr. Charron and take photos of the yard, on a long, narrow lot with trees bordering neighbors on each side.
Geoffrey Nimmer, a landscape designer, and Paul Munoz of Eco Harmony, a landscaping company, met with Mr. Charron and his partner, Naomi Worth, to develop a plan for the yard. Mr. Nimmer donated a design plan and plant list and identified donating nurseries, and Mr. Munoz collected trees and shrubs from donors and planted them, and donated bluestone for a patio. The project continued through last summer.
Eco Harmony previously worked with ChangeHampton and Abby Lawless, a landscape designer, to plant and maintain the community pollinator garden at East Hampton Town Hall.
ChangeHampton will thank participants and discuss their conclusions and recommendations at Mr. Charron’s house with a gathering that is to include Mr. Nimmer and Mr. Munoz; Suffolk County officials of Habitat for Humanity; representatives of Buckley’s Farm, Mahoney Farm, Whitmores, and Fowler’s, all of which donated trees, shrubs, and other materials; ChangeHampton’s Gail Pellett, Stephan Van Dam, Lena Tabori, Kate Mueth, Mr. Green, Ms. Weissman, and Mr. McIsaac; Betsy Macleod of Habitat for Humanity, and Councilman Tom Flight.
Those interested in attending have been asked to R.S.V.P. at changehampton.org/events.
